2011-2012

2011-2012

SEASON

STAFF
Artistic Director – Ron Peluso
Associate Artistic Director – Austene Van
Production Manager – Janet L. Hall
Master Electrician – Matthew Earley
Technical Director – Gunther Gullickson
Assistant Technical Director – Justin Hooper
Artistic Associates – Bob Beverage, Michelle Hutchinson, Jan Puffer, Sue Scott, Richard D. Thompson

Managing Director – Karen Mueller
Director of Development – Barbe Marshall
Development Associate – Doug Tiede
Institutional Development Consultant – Betsy Husting
Financial Consultant – Megan Tarnow
IT Consultant – Kurt Buller

Audience Development Director – Chari Hall
Group Sales Manager – Jill Vaughn
Box Office Associate – Bailey Anderson
Front of House Staff – Anne Hammel, Marj Hammer, David Hopkins-Hile, Jodi Larson, Megan O’Brien, Ben Thompson
ASL Interpreters – David Evans, Patty Gordon
Audio Describer – Susan Howe

Marketing Director – Rachel Flynn
Graphic Designer/Web Developer – Matthew Foster
Photographers – Matt Black/Fiboncci Studio, Scott Pakudaitis
Videographers – Joe Filipas/Sugo Media, Alan Naumann/Memoryvision

Beyond the Rainbow: Garland at Carnegie Hall
October 8-November 6, 2011
By William Randall Beard

This show musically tells the story of Judy Garland, an entertainer from Grand Rapids, Minnesota who started her singing career as part of The Gumm Sisters, a Vaudeville “sister act,” and went on to International fame in radio, concerts, television and film. The setting of the show is Carnegie Hall in New York City on April 23, 1961 and in Judy Garland’s memory.

Cast
Garland – Jody Briskey
Judy – Norah Long
Ethel Gumm/Others – Cathleen Fuller
Frank Gumm/Others – Peter Moore
Louis B. Mayer/Others – Clark A. Cruikshank

Orchestra
Musical Director and Pianist – Jimmy Martin
Reeds – Dana Mathewson
Bassist – Eric Solberg
Percussion – Matthew Doctor

Jody Briskey

Artistic Staff
Director – Ron Peluso
Musical Arranger – David Lohman
Scenic Designer – Kate Sutton-Johnson
Lighting Designer – Chris Johnson
Costume Designer – Christine A. Richardson
Property Designer – Kirby Moore
Fight Director – Peter Moore
Stage Manager – Wayne Hendricks
Production Manager – Janet L. Hall
Technical Director – Gunther Gullickson
Assistant Technical Director – Justin Hooper
Sound Designer, Master Electrician, Light Board Operator – Matthew Earley
Original Sound Designer – C. Andrew Mayer
Sound Board Operator – David Hopkins-Hile
Production/Design Intern & Deck Manager – Fiona E. Dean
Spotlight Operators – Mike Lubke, True Saenz, Justus Sizemore

Musical Numbers
ACT I
Overture
When You’re Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You) – Garland & Judy
Born In A Trunk – Garland
I Can’t Give You Anything But Love – Garland
Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart – Garland & Judy
You Made Me Love You – Judy
We’re Off To See The Wizard – Judy, Haley & Bolger
Rock-a-Bye Your Baby To A Dixie Melody – Garland
Be A Clown – Garland & Judy
The Trolley Song – Garland
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Garland
Do It Again – Garland
How Long Has This Been Going On? – Garland
Who Cares (As Long As You Care For Me) – Garland
That’s Entertainment – Garland

ACT II
Entr’acte
Come Rain or Come Shine – Garland
Alone Together – Garland
Get Happy – Garland
After You’ve Gone – Garland
You Go To My Head – Garland
For Me And My Gal – Garland
Swanee – Garland & Judy
Stormy Weather – Garland
The Man That Got Away – Garland
Over The Rainbow – Garland

For her performance in this production,
Jody Briskey earned the coveted Ivey Award in 2012

A Civil War Christmas
November 19-December 18, 2011
By Paula Vogel
Music by Daryl Waters

This Christmas story takes place in December of 1864, near the end of the Civil War and the beginning of hopes that peace and reconciliation would soon emerge. We see Lincoln, his family, allies and foes, former slaves, Union and Confederate soldiers and friends and neighbors all attempt to build a nation that honors freedom and equality.

Cast (in alphabetical order)
Parker/Bronson/Frederick/Weichman/Rev. Brown – Santino Craven
Mrs. Johnson/Keckley Understudy – Alicia Dansby
Stanton/Sentry/Payne/Pendel/2nd Lt./Ghost George – Nic Delcambre
Willy Mack/Soldier/Walker/Wormley/Recruiting Officer/Union Man – Darius Dotch
Rose/Hannah/Aggy – Lynnea Monique Doublette
Soldier/Jim/Reid/Union Man/Little Joe – Jackson Hurst
Silver/Mary Todd Lincoln – Jan Lee
Longfellow/Grant/Nicolay/Booth/Soldier/Raider/Slave Catcher – David Mager
Lamon/Mary Surratt/Clara Barton/Widow Saunders/Matron – Gail Ottmar
Roz/Hay/Anna – Jen Rand
Lee/Sherman/Surratt/Whitman/Soldier/Chester/Slave Catcher – Joel Raney
Jessa – Kiara Smythe
Lincoln/Burwell/Mule Moses Levy/Officer/Raider/Slave Catcher/Minister – Fred Wagner
Keckley/Mrs. Thomas – Joetta Wright

The company in song

Artistic Team
Director – Austene Van
Music Director – J.D. Steele
Scenic Designer – Joel Sass
Lighting Designer – Mike Wangen
Costume Designer – Jason Lee Resler
Property Designer – Kirby Moore
Stage Manager – Janet L. Hall
Assistant Stage Manager – Wayne Hendricks
Technical Director – Gunther Gullickson
Assistant Technical Director – Justin Hooper
Master Electrician – Matthew Earley
Light Board Operator – David Hopkins-Hile
Stage Management Intern – Matthew Bjorkman

Musical Numbers
ACT I
All Quiet Along The Potomac / Silent Night
I Heard The Bells
Follow The Drinkin’ Gourd
Rise Up Shepherd and Follow
There I’ll Be A Soldier
Marching Through Georgia
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
What Child Is This?
Maryland, My Maryland
The Holly And The Ivy
Oh, Tannenbaum

ACT II
Ding Dong Merrily On High
Roll On The Liberty Ball
Whatever The Hue Of Their Skin
The Yellow Roxe Of Texas
There Is A Balm In Gilead
Silent Night / The Kaddish
Children Go Where I Send Thee
Ain’t That A’rockin?
Oh Christmas Tree (reprise)
I Heard The Bells (reprise)

1968: The Year that Rocked the World
January 21-February 19, 2012
By Members of the Playwrights’ Center: Reginald Edmund, Christina Ham, Kim Hines, Kevin Kautzmasn, Dominic Orlando, Mat Smart & Rhiana Yazzie

The play is an attempt to convey some of the many stories that were born in the historical year of 1968. It examines America’s struggle to “hold it all together” during a year when war, assassinations, scandals and violent protests dominated the headlines. The time and place are 1968 in America.

Cast members, Scenes & Playwrights – Timeline created by Ron Peluso

Welcome Home
By Reginald Edmund

Based on the experience of Jerry Miron, Vietnam Veteran

Jerry Miron – Eric Knutson
Diane – Lindsay Marcy
Soldier – E.J. Subkoviak

Go Up Together
By Christina Ham

Based on the sanitation worker strike in Memphis, Tennessee

Gus – Kahlil Queen
Charlie – Jo Nathan Thomas

Rosemary
By Kevin Kautzman

Based on the trauma of singer Rosemary Clooney

Rosemary – Karen Weber
Nurse – Lynnea Monique Doublette
Robert Kennedy – Randy Schmeling

John Mitchell’s Private Moment
By Dominic Orlando

Based on biographies and resources about John Mitchell

Richard Milhous Nixon – Paul de Cordova
John Mitchell – E.J. Subkoviak
Guard – Kahlil Queen

E.J. Subkoviak, Paul deCordova

Smith & Carlos
By Kim Hines

Based on the interviews of many men and women

Bryan – Rob Thomas
Lisa – Lindsay Marcy
Ron – Jo Nathan Thomas

With Frank Vascellaro, Amelia Santaniello and WCCO-TV

The Corral
By Rhiana Yazzie

Based on interviews with members of Minnesota’s Native community

Edgar – Rob Thomas
Moon – M. Cochise Anderson
Policemen – Randy Schmeling & Eric Knutson

Apollo 8
By Mat Smart

Based on interviews with astronaut Garrett Riesman

Sheila Reisman – Lindsay Marcy
Robert Reisman – Eric Knutson
Garrett Reisman – Randy Schmeling
Simone Francis – Karen Weber

The Band
Keyboard/Vocals – Nic Delcambre
Drums – Corey Fitzgerald
Woodwinds/Vocals – Aaron Levin
Bass guitar – Ryan Robinson
Guitar/Vocals – Kyle Sexton

Artistic Team
Director – Ron Peluso
Music Arranger & Director – Gary Rue
Assistant Director – Nic Delcambre
Dramaturg – Michael Kinghorn
Scenic Designer – Justin Hooper & Ron Peluso
Sound & Video Designer – C. Andrew Mayer
Lighting Designer – Mike Wangen
Costume Designer – Kathy Kohl
Property Designer – Abbee Warmboe
Video Designer – Kathy Maxwell
Stage Manager – Janet L. Hall
Assistant Stage Manager – Tamara K. Heeschen
Technical Director – Gunther Gullickson
Master Electrician – Matthew Earley
Light Board Operator – David Hopkins-Hile

This production was presented in cooperation with the
Minnesota Historical Society at the Minnesota History Center,
in tandem with the Center’s 1968 exhibit

Coco’s Diary (World Premiere)
March 3-25, 2012
By Bob Beverage and Ron Peluso

Clotilde (Coco) Irvine grew up in the house her parents built at 1006 Summit Avenue in St. Paul. In 1927, Coco was age 13 and committed herself to keeping a diary for a year of her young life. The play comes from that diary; both expose us to the trials and tribulations of adolescent life: joy, heartache and angst from the people who think that Coco creates more than her share of trouble. But Coco often tells us that the source of any trouble is “no fault of my own.”

The play is set at the Irvine home in 1965 & 1927. In 1965, the Irvine family donated the property to the State of Minnesota, and it was designated as the State Ceremonial Building and the Governor’s Mansion.

Cast
Young Clotilde “Coco” Irvine – Anna Evans & Kacie Riddle
Adult Coco – Andrea Wollenberg
Tom – Jake Endres
Adult Coco understudy – Greta Grosch

Artistic Staff
Director – Ron Peluso
Music Director – Jake Endres
Scenic Designer – Rick Polenek
Lighting Designer – Pamela Kildahl
Costume Designer – Kelsey Glasener
Properties Designer – Kirby Moore
Stage Manager – Janet L. Hall
Choreographer/Assistant to the Director – Regina Peluso
Technical Director – Gunther Gullickson
Assistant Technical Director – Justin Hooper
Master Electrician – Matthew Earley
Light Board Operator – David Hopkins-Hile

Kasie Riddle, Andrea Wollenberg, Jake Endres

Comment
History Theatre is special – from the theatre’s unique mission to Artistic Director Ron Peluso’s devotion to creating new work to the ultra-collaborative development process he oversees. Ron is a master at bringing together diverse artists from different cultures in order to tell exciting, powerful and profound stories.

I began working with History Theatre in the early 1990s, playing several parts in different areas of need. I’ve been an actor, a playwright, a stage manager, a dramaturg, an interim Managing Director, a Resident Director of New Works, an Artistic Associate and more. While working with History Theatre, I’ve learned that it is special – from the theatre’s unique mission to Artistic Director Ron Peluso’s devotion to creating new work to the ultra-collaborative development process he oversees. Ron is a master at bringing together diverse artists from different cultures in order to tell exciting, powerful and profound stories.

– Bob Beverage
Playwright & Actor

Capital Crimes: The St. Paul Gangster Musical
April 21-May 20, 2012
By David Hawley
Music & Lyrics by Drew Jansen

The action of this musical occurs in a St. Paul speakeasy and beyond from 1931-1935. During the 1930s, St. Paul was known as a city with a “hands off” attitude toward American criminals, including the Barker family, John Dillinger, Machine Gun Kelly and Baby Face Nelson. The story focuses on efforts by J. Edgar Hoover to capture and punish Alvin “Creepy” Karpis.

Cast
Nate Bomberg – Jake Endres
Fred Barker – Matt Erkel
Ma Barker – Cathleen Fuller
Alvin “Creepy” Karpis – Josiah Austin Gulden
Chief Brown/Doc Barker – Eric Knutson
Paula Harmon – Kimberly Richardson
Delores Delaney – Anna Reichart
J. Edgar Hoover – E. J. Subkoviak

Dancers
Mary Berthelsen, Haden Cadiz, Chance Gilliam, Aidan Haarman, Joseph Kellen, Andrew Kohagen, Cara Lahti, Megan Marcy, Celena Morgan, Kiana Sopher, Linnea Wolfe

L-R: Jake Endres, Kimberly Richardson, Matt Erkel, Josiah Austin Gulden

Artistic Team
Director – Noah Bremer
Music Director – Drew Jansen
Choreographer & Assistant to the Director – Eva Mohn
Scenic Designer – Erica Zaffarano
Lighting Designer – Daniel Ellis
Costume Designer – E. Amy Hill
Property Designer – Abbee Warmboe
Sound Designer & Master Electrician – Matthew Earley
Stage Manager – Janet L. Hall
Pre-Show Choreographer – Regina Peluso
Technical Director – Gunther Gullickson
Assistant Technical Director – Justin Hooper
Master Electrician – Matthew Earley
Light Board Operator – David Hopkins-Hile

Band
Musical Director & Pianist – Drew Jansen
Reeds – Dana Mathewson
Bassist – Eric Solberg
Percussion – Erik Christianson

Musical Numbers
ACT I
Overture
Reform America – Hoover, Karpis & Company
My Boys – Ma
Highfalutin’ Hijinks Are Happenin’ Here At The Hollyhocks – Nate & Company
Trash – Delores & Karpis
When You Fall For A Fellow – Delores & Paula
Missing a Little Something/Reform America (reprise) – Karpis, Hoover & Company

ACT II
Entr’acte
Perfection – Hoover
Not A Bad Day’s Work – Fred
An Incomplete Man – Delores
The Letter – Karpis, Dolores, Hoover & Ma
Masterpiece – Hoover, FBI Agent & Me
Finale – Nate & Company